Multiple hens&#39; nest



Au 2 192 y g 7 J. w. MYERS MULTIPLE HENS NEST Filed July 2, 1925 Patented Aug. 2, 1927.

UNITED STATES JOHN W. MYERS, Or QUINCY, ILLINOIS.

MULTIPLE KENS NEST.

Application filed July 2, 1923. Serial No. 648,946.

This invention relates to a multiple hens nest.

It is the general object of the invention to provide a portable casing containing a plurality of removable containers affording nests for hens, the entire construction being of metal. It is a further object of the invention to provide ahinged ledge affording in its lowloermost position an elevated platform onto which the hens can jump to gain access to the nests. and which platform when raised will prevent exit of the hens from the nests, the latter condition being especially desirable with setting hens.

Other objects of the invention relate to the general construction and relation of parts as hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

A multiple hens nest constructed according to Infy invention provides an economical means 0 providing nesting space for hens; being of metal, the nesting case as a Whole is sanitary, and this condition is maintained 2!! by the provision of removablenests which can be taken out and cleaned as often as found desirable.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which & Flgure l is a view in front elevation showing the hinged platform raised and partly broken away; and

Fi re 2 is a view in end elevation, the plat orm on one side being lowered and the upper portion of the casing being broken away to better illustrate the construction.

, Referring to the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates generally, a casing which is made of sheet metal, preferably galvanized iron.

This casing comprises four angular upright members 2 forming the corners of the casing and terminating in legs 3. Supported on the corner members 2 is an elevated bottom 4 which is preferably braced by a V- 5 shaped member 5 secured on its bottom and extendingmfrom end to end of the casing, the bottom ing provided preferably with flan es at its ends, as indicated at 6. The uprights 2 support a top 7 having end and 5 side portions 8 and 9 turned downwardly at right angles and secured to the uprights 2 forming an enclosed space above the nests.

Extending downwardly from the top 7 and between the end members 8 is a partition 10 which is preferably of the same depth as the end and side members 8 and 9.

The numerals 11 indicate rectangular metal containers which-are inserted from opposite sides of the casing and are supported in end to end position on the bottom 4.

Preferably, I provide a casing of a length to hold three of the containers 11 in a row, the casing as a whole thus comprising six of said containers. These containers constitute the nests proper, and the outer end wall of each container is cut out or recessed, as indicated at 12, to permit the hen to readily enter the container. The bottom 4 provides at either side a projecting flange 13 extending from end to end of the casing, each of these flanges being turned upwardly at its ends, as indicated at 14.

I provide means for affording a temporary platform for the hen to jump on prior to entering the nest, which platform also acts as a closure.

To this end I provide a sheet of metal 15 having its ends bent at right angles, as indicated at 16, to provide flanges. These flanges project below the bottom of the plate 15 to provide hinged members 17. To hinge the platform 15 on the casing, I preferabl solder on the flange 13, at each end thereo a wire 18 having an end portion 19 elevated and projecting through apertures in the respective flanged extensions 14 and 17, the latter embracing the former, as shown more clearly at the left of Figure 1. The end portions 19 of the wire, after passing through the flanges 14 and 17, are bent inwardly, as indicated by the numeral 20, to

provide rests for supporting the platform 15 when it is lowered.

Mounted on each of the flan es 16 is a staple 21 and mounted on the slde of each of the uprights 2 is a hook 22 which is adapted to engage the staple 21 to hold the platform 15 in an elevated position as shown at the left of Figure 2.

As will be seen by an inspection of Fig ure 2, the lowered es of the flanges 16 are substantiall on a evel with .the bottom 4 and hence t e platform 15 is elevated above the level of the bottom and forms an abutment preventing the withdrawal of the nests or containers 11, unless the same were elevated, at their front ends, as indicated with one of these containers by dotted lines in Figure 2. -The lower edges of the end and side members 8, 9 terminate above the tops of the nests 11, thus providing a s ace 23 for ventilation. The partition 10, of course,

prevents the hens on one side of the casing rom interfering with the hens which may be in the nests on the other side.

With the platform lowered, as shown at the right of Figure 2, it will readily be seen that three hens may readily enter the respective nests 11 on this side of the casing. If it is intended to gather the eggs as laid, the platform 15 is left in its lowcred position. If, however, the hens in the nests on oneor both sides are setting, then when the hens enter the nests the platform 15 may be elevated and secured in its elevated position by the hooks 22 as illustrated at the left of Figure 2, preventing the hens from leaving their nests until such time as the attendant may lower the platform.

I contemplate maxing this nesting casing in various sizes and the shape and arrangement is such that one casing may be placed in end-wise relation with reference to another and the casings may be superimposed upon each other, if desired, to increase the capacity from time to time.

I claim:

1. An all metal hens nest comprisin a rectangular casing open at its opposite sides, a plurality of rectangular containers affording nests insertable through the open sides and removably mounted in two rows in end to end relation in said casing, some of the walls of said rectangular containers functioning as partitions between adjacent containers, and a partition rigid throughout its ll height extending length-wise of the casing centrally thereof and above the upper edges of said nests.

2. An all metal hens nest comprising a rectangular casing having a bottom, and open sides, a series of rectangular containers affording nests arranged in two rows in end to end relation in said casing and removable through the open sides thereof, some of the walls of said rectangular containers functioning as artitions between adjacent containers, a p atform pivotally mounted at either side of said casing to extend above the plane of its bottom and prevent withdrawal of said containers unless the same be elevated, and means on the casing for holdin the platform in a vertical position to c ose the openings in the sides thereof. 7

3. A hens nest comprisin a rectan ular casing having a bottom, and open si es, a series of containers affording nests arranged in two rows in end to end relationthrou 'h the open sides of the casing, some of the walls of said containers functioning as partitions between adjacent containers, a platform located at either side of said casing, 11 wire section secured on each side of the casing at the ends thereof and pivotally supporting said platform, each of said wire sections havin a bent end'adapted to support the plat orm in its horizontal position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN W. MYERS. 

